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Northern Illinois vs. Kent State

Friday, November 30, 2012, Mid-American Championship Game

No. 19 Northern Illinois beat No. 18 Kent State 44–⁠37 in double overtime. It was their 22nd meeting; after it, Northern Illinois led the series 17–⁠5.

Neutral site19Northern Illinois12–⁠2 in 2012
44
Neutral site18Kent State11–⁠3 in 2012
37

Final, 2 overtimesTV: ESPN2, ESPN3Attendance 18,132Referee: Don Willard

MVP Jordan Lynch (QB, NIU)Wikipedia

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4OT1OT2Final
Northern Illinois3141073744
Kent State1003213037

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Northern Illinois

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Jordan Lynch19/3421211
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Jordan Lynch36160344
Akeem Daniels17128123
Da’Ron Brown114014
Tommylee Lewis1707
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Akeem Daniels467043
Martel Moore439114
Perez Ashford438016
Da’Ron Brown237025
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Dechane Durante100
Demetrius Stone100

Kent State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Spencer Keith15/3619012
Matthew Hurdle0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Trayion Durham2072012
Dri Archer1215115
Larry Dawson1404
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Dri Archer581060
Chris Humphrey336020
Tim Erjavec329119
Trayion Durham122022
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Leon Green1-10

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Northern IllinoisKent State
524Total yards260
212Passing yards190
312Rushing yards70
6.2Yards per pass5.1
5.6Yards per rush1.7
25First downs17
10–⁠19Third downs8–⁠19
2–⁠2Fourth downs0–⁠2
3Turnovers2
8–⁠62Penalties0–⁠0
37:25Possession26:59

Efficiency

Northern IllinoisKent State
46%Success rate30%
0.13EPA per play−0.19
0.93Explosiveness0.77
0.35Rushing EPA−0.27
−0.12Passing EPA−0.12
32%Passing-down success36%
0.06First-down EPA−0.19
−0.16Second-down EPA−0.13
0.59Third-down EPA0.13
3%Havoc by its defense1%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Northern Illinois 59% to win. Northern Illinois pulled the upset. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Kent State end zoneNorthern Illinois end zoneQ1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ1 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 5 playsQ1 Kent StateFumble, 3 playsQ1 Kent StateTouchdown run, 3 playsQ1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 6 playsQ1 Kent StateField goal, 6 playsQ1 Northern IllinoisField goal, 14 playsQ1 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown pass, 6 playsQ2 Kent StateInterception, 3 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 12 playsQ2 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisInterception, 5 playsQ2 Kent StateEnd of half, 6 playsQ3 Kent StateField goal, 8 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 10 playsQ3 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisField goal, 9 playsQ3 Kent StateTurnover on downs, 9 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisPunt, 10 playsQ4 Kent StateTouchdown run, 8 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisFumble return TD, 1 play (Kent State scores)Q4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 4 playsQ4 Kent StateTouchdown pass, 11 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisResult not recorded, 2 playsQ5 Kent StateField goal, 6 playsQ5 Kent StateField goal, 4 playsQ6 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 2 playsQ6 Northern IllinoisResult not recorded, 6 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Kent State drives left to right, Northern Illinois right to left. Our source’s drive data for this game doesn’t add up to the final score, so a score may be missing here; the scoring by quarter above is complete.
  1. Q1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  2. Q1 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  3. Q1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 5 plays, 13 yards
  4. Q1 Kent StateFumble, 3 plays, −1 yard
  5. Q1 Kent StateTouchdown run, 3 plays, 22 yards
  6. Q1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 6 plays, 8 yards
  7. Q1 Kent StateField goal, 6 plays, 6 yards
  8. Q1 Northern IllinoisField goal, 14 plays, 35 yards
  9. Q1 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  10. Q2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown pass, 6 plays, 59 yards
  11. Q2 Kent StateInterception, 3 plays, 2 yards
  12. Q2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 12 plays, 58 yards
  13. Q2 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, −10 yards
  14. Q2 Northern IllinoisInterception, 5 plays, 42 yards
  15. Q2 Kent StateEnd of half, 6 plays, 11 yards
  16. Q3 Kent StateField goal, 8 plays, 10 yards
  17. Q3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 10 plays, 75 yards
  18. Q3 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, −14 yards
  19. Q3 Northern IllinoisField goal, 9 plays, 17 yards
  20. Q3 Kent StateTurnover on downs, 9 plays, −2 yards
  21. Q4 Northern IllinoisPunt, 10 plays, 80 yards
  22. Q4 Kent StateTouchdown run, 8 plays, 96 yards
  23. Q4 Northern IllinoisFumble return TD, 1 play (Kent State scores), 0 yards
  24. Q4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 4 plays, 75 yards
  25. Q4 Kent StateTouchdown pass, 11 plays, 58 yards
  26. Q4 Northern IllinoisResult not recorded, 2 plays, 3 yards
  27. Q5 Kent StateField goal, 6 plays, −9 yards
  28. Q5 Kent StateField goal, 4 plays, −2 yards
  29. Q6 Northern IllinoisTouchdown run, 2 plays, 25 yards
  30. Q6 Northern IllinoisResult not recorded, 6 plays, 46 yards

Play by play

1st quarter9 drives, then Kent State 10, Northern Illinois 3
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
14:501st & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 29.
14:282nd & 6 at own 29Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Perez Ashford.
14:193rd & 6 at own 29Jordan Lynch pass complete to Tommylee Lewis for a loss of 1 yard to the NoIll 28.
13:514th & 7 at own 28Ryan Neir punt for 55 yards, downed at the KntSt 17.
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
13:131st & 10 at own 17Spencer Keith pass complete to Dri Archer for 7 yards to the KntSt 24.
12:392nd & 3 at own 24Trayion Durham rush for no gain to the KntSt 24.
12:263rd & 3 at own 24Spencer Keith pass incomplete.
12:144th & 3 at own 24Anthony Melchiori punt for 54 yards, returned by Angelo Sebastiano for 2 yards to the NoIll 14, NORTHERNIL penalty 10 yard Illegal Block accepted.
Northern Illinois Punt, 5 plays
11:531st & 10 at own 14Tommylee Lewis rush for 7 yards to the NoIll 21.
11:392nd & 3 at own 21Jordan Lynch pass complete to Martel Moore for 8 yards to the NoIll 29 for a 1ST down.
11:381st & 10 at own 29Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Tommylee Lewis.
11:132nd & 10 at own 29Jordan Lynch sacked by Luke Wollet for a loss of 2 yards to the NoIll 27.
10:593rd & 12 at own 27Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
10:514th & 12 at own 27Ryan Neir punt for 46 yards, fair catch by Eric Adeyemi at the KntSt 27.
Kent State Fumble, 3 plays
10:281st & 10 at own 27Trayion Durham rush for a loss of 1 yard to the KntSt 26.
10:072nd & 11 at own 26Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Dri Archer.
10:013rd & 11 at own 26Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Eric Adeyemi.
9:494th & 11 at own 26Anthony Melchiori punt for 55 yards, returned by Angelo Sebastiano for 3 yards, fumbled, forced by Darius Polk, recovered by KntSt Darius Polk at the NoIll 22.
Kent State Touchdown run, 3 plays
9:451st & 10 at opp 22Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Eric Adeyemi.
9:212nd & 10 at opp 22Trayion Durham rush for 7 yards to the NoIll 15.
8:573rd & 3 at opp 15Dri Archer rush for 15 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Kent State 6, Northern Illinois 0
8:57Freddy Cortez extra point GOOD.Kent State 7, Northern Illinois 0
8:57Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards returned by Angelo Sebastiano for 20 yards to the NoIll 10, NORTHERNIL penalty 10 yard Illegal Block accepted.
Northern Illinois Punt, 6 plays
8:501st & 10 at own 10Jordan Lynch rush for no gain to the NoIll 10.
8:402nd & 10 at own 10Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
8:213rd & 10 at own 10Jordan Lynch pass complete to Jamison Wells for 15 yards to the NoIll 25 for a 1ST down.
8:041st & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch pass complete to Akeem Daniels for no gain to the NoIll 25.
7:502nd & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 29.
7:303rd & 6 at own 29Jordan Lynch sacked by Darius Polk for a loss of 11 yards to the NoIll 18, NORTHERNIL penalty 0 yard Intentional Grounding on Jordan Lynch accepted.
7:194th & 17 at own 18Ryan Neir punt for 18 yards, downed at the NoIll 36.
Kent State Field goal, 6 plays
7:101st & 10 at opp 36Spencer Keith sacked by Jamaal Bass and Alan Baxter for a loss of 5 yards to the NoIll 41.
6:182nd & 15 at opp 41Spencer Keith pass complete to Chris Humphrey for 20 yards to the NoIll 21 for a 1ST down.
5:411st & 10 at opp 21Trayion Durham rush for 1 yard to the NoIll 20.
5:152nd & 9 at opp 20Matthew Hurdle pass incomplete to Spencer Keith.
5:113rd & 9 at opp 20Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Dri Archer.
5:064th & 9 at opp 20Freddy Cortez 37 yard field goal GOOD.Kent State 10, Northern Illinois 0
5:06Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Northern Illinois Field goal, 14 plays
4:581st & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch pass incomplete.
4:332nd & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch pass complete to Tommylee Lewis for no gain to the NoIll 25.
4:143rd & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch pass complete to Jamison Wells for 12 yards to the NoIll 37 for a 1ST down.
3:501st & 10 at own 37Jordan Lynch rush for 9 yards to the NoIll 46.
3:382nd & 1 at own 46Jordan Lynch rush for 3 yards to the NoIll 49 for a 1ST down.
3:171st & 10 at own 49Da’Ron Brown rush for 14 yards to the KntSt 37 for a 1ST down.
2:571st & 10 at opp 37Jordan Lynch rush for no gain to the KntSt 37.
2:282nd & 10 at opp 37Jordan Lynch pass complete to Perez Ashford for 3 yards to the KntSt 34.
2:013rd & 7 at opp 34Jordan Lynch pass complete to Akeem Daniels for 4 yards to the KntSt 30.
1:474th & 3 at opp 30Timeout NORTHERN ILLINOIS, clock 1:47.
1:354th & 3 at opp 30Jordan Lynch rush for 17 yards to the KntSt 13 for a 1ST down.
1:051st & 10 at opp 13Jordan Lynch rush for 4 yards to the KntSt 9.
0:322nd & 6 at opp 9Jordan Lynch rush for a loss of 1 yard to the KntSt 10.
0:183rd & 7 at opp 10Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
0:144th & 7 at opp 10Mathew Sims 27 yard field goal GOOD.Kent State 10, Northern Illinois 3
0:14Tyler Wedel kickoff for 51 yards out-of-bounds.
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
0:051st & 10 at own 35Trayion Durham rush for 4 yards to the KntSt 39.
Q2 14:422nd & 6 at own 39Dri Archer rush for 2 yards to the KntSt 41.
Q2 13:593rd & 4 at own 41Dri Archer rush for a loss of 3 yards to the KntSt 38.
Q2 13:274th & 7 at own 38Anthony Melchiori punt for 51 yards, returned by Angelo Sebastiano for 30 yards to the NoIll 41.
2nd quarter6 drives, then Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 10
Northern Illinois Touchdown pass, 6 plays
13:161st & 10 at own 41Jordan Lynch pass complete to Da’Ron Brown for 25 yards to the KntSt 34 for a 1ST down.
12:521st & 10 at opp 34Jordan Lynch pass complete to Perez Ashford for 5 yards to the KntSt 29.
12:442nd & 5 at opp 29Akeem Daniels rush for 14 yards to the KntSt 15 for a 1ST down.
12:001st & 10 at opp 15Jordan Lynch rush for 1 yard to the KntSt 14.
11:342nd & 9 at opp 14Jordan Lynch rush for no gain to the KntSt 14.
11:033rd & 9 at opp 14Jordan Lynch pass complete to Martel Moore for 14 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Kent State 10, Northern Illinois 9
11:03Mathew Sims extra point GOOD.Tied at 10
11:03Tyler Wedel kickoff for 38 yards returned by Josh Boyle for 5 yards to the KntSt 32.
Kent State Interception, 3 plays
10:381st & 10 at own 32Trayion Durham rush for a loss of 1 yard to the KntSt 31.
9:592nd & 11 at own 31Dri Archer rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 34.
9:373rd & 8 at own 34Spencer Keith pass intercepted by Dechane Durante at the NoIll 42, returned for no gain to the NoIll 42.
Northern Illinois Touchdown run, 12 plays
9:321st & 10 at own 42Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
9:292nd & 10 at own 42Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Akeem Daniels.
9:293rd & 10 at own 42Timeout NORTHERN ILLINOIS, clock 09:29.
9:173rd & 10 at own 42Jordan Lynch rush for 13 yards to the KntSt 45 for a 1ST down.
8:501st & 10 at opp 45Akeem Daniels rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 42.
8:312nd & 7 at opp 42Jordan Lynch pass incomplete.
8:313rd & 7 at opp 42Timeout NORTHERN ILLINOIS, clock 08:31.
8:203rd & 7 at opp 42Jordan Lynch rush for 8 yards to the KntSt 34 for a 1ST down.
7:571st & 10 at opp 34Akeem Daniels rush for 11 yards to the KntSt 23 for a 1ST down.
7:381st & 10 at opp 23Jordan Lynch pass complete to Tommylee Lewis for 5 yards to the KntSt 18.
7:182nd & 5 at opp 18Jordan Lynch pass complete to Martel Moore for 8 yards to the KntSt 10 for a 1ST down.
6:571st & goal at opp 10Jordan Lynch rush for 6 yards to the KntSt 4.
6:072nd & goal at opp 4Jordan Lynch rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 1.
5:533rd & goal at opp 1Akeem Daniels rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 16, Kent State 10
5:53Mathew Sims extra point GOOD.Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 10
5:53Tyler Wedel kickoff for 41 yards returned by Josh Boyle for 11 yards to the KntSt 35.
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
5:431st & 10 at own 35Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
5:222nd & 10 at own 35Trayion Durham rush for a loss of 1 yard to the KntSt 34.
4:503rd & 11 at own 34Spencer Keith sacked by Ken Bishop for a loss of 9 yards to the KntSt 25.
4:134th & 20 at own 25Anthony Melchiori punt for 38 yards, fair catch by Angelo Sebastiano at the NoIll 37.
Northern Illinois Interception, 5 plays
4:031st & 10 at own 37NORTHERNIL penalty 5 yard Illegal Shift accepted, no play.
3:501st & 15 at own 32Jordan Lynch rush for no gain to the NoIll 32.
3:162nd & 15 at own 32Jordan Lynch pass complete to Akeem Daniels for 20 yards to the KntSt 48 for a 1ST down.
2:571st & 10 at opp 48Jordan Lynch pass complete to Perez Ashford for 16 yards to the KntSt 32 for a 1ST down.
2:291st & 10 at opp 32Giorgio Bowers rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 29.
2:132nd & 7 at opp 29Jordan Lynch pass intercepted by Leon Green at the KntSt 3, returned for a loss of 1 yards to the KntSt 2.
Kent State End of half, 6 plays
2:031st & 10 at own 2Trayion Durham rush for 12 yards to the KntSt 14 for a 1ST down.
1:281st & 10 at own 14Trayion Durham rush for 6 yards to the KntSt 20.
1:192nd & 4 at own 20Spencer Keith pass complete to Dri Archer for 2 yards to the KntSt 22.
0:583rd & 2 at own 22Trayion Durham rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 25 for a 1ST down.
0:331st & 10 at own 25Spencer Keith sacked by Anthony Wells for a loss of 6 yards to the KntSt 19.
0:182nd & 16 at own 19Dri Archer rush for a loss of 6 yards to the KntSt 13.
Q3 15:00Tyler Wedel kickoff for 46 yards returned by Josh Boyle for 28 yards to the KntSt 47.
3rd quarter5 drives, then Northern Illinois 27, Kent State 13
Kent State Field goal, 8 plays
14:401st & 10 at own 47Trayion Durham rush for 2 yards to the KntSt 49.
13:572nd & 8 at own 49Spencer Keith pass complete to Trayion Durham for 22 yards to the NoIll 29 for a 1ST down.
13:021st & 10 at opp 29Larry Dawson rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 25.
12:452nd & 6 at opp 25Dri Archer rush for a loss of 1 yard to the NoIll 26.
12:193rd & 7 at opp 26NORTHERNIL penalty 15 yard Pass Interference on Rashaan Melvin accepted.
11:591st & 10 at opp 11Trayion Durham rush for 2 yards to the NoIll 9.
11:162nd & 8 at opp 9Spencer Keith pass complete to Tim Erjavec for 2 yards to the NoIll 7.
10:513rd & 6 at opp 7Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
10:464th & 6 at opp 7Freddy Cortez 24 yard field goal GOOD.Northern Illinois 17, Kent State 13
10:46Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Northern Illinois Touchdown run, 10 plays
10:311st & 10 at own 25Jordan Lynch rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 29.
10:202nd & 6 at own 29Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Tommylee Lewis.
10:103rd & 6 at own 29Jordan Lynch pass complete to Perez Ashford for 14 yards to the NoIll 43 for a 1ST down.
9:421st & 10 at own 43Jordan Lynch rush for 7 yards to the 50 yard line.
9:332nd & 3 at the 50Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
9:173rd & 3 at the 50Jordan Lynch rush for 2 yards to the KntSt 48.
9:024th & 1 at opp 48Jordan Lynch rush for 44 yards to the KntSt 4 for a 1ST down.
8:331st & goal at opp 4Akeem Daniels rush for 3 yards to the KntSt 1.
7:522nd & goal at opp 1Akeem Daniels rush for no gain to the KntSt 1.
7:263rd & goal at opp 1Jordan Lynch rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 23, Kent State 13
7:26Mathew Sims extra point GOOD.Northern Illinois 24, Kent State 13
7:26Tyler Wedel kickoff for 47 yards returned by Eric Adeyemi for 11 yards to the KntSt 29.
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
7:031st & 10 at own 29Dri Archer rush for a loss of 4 yards to the KntSt 25.
6:182nd & 14 at own 25Spencer Keith sacked by George Rainey for a loss of 10 yards to the KntSt 15.
5:503rd & 24 at own 15Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Eric Adeyemi.
5:414th & 24 at own 15Anthony Melchiori punt for 40 yards, fair catch by Angelo Sebastiano at the NoIll 45.
Northern Illinois Field goal, 9 plays
5:341st & 10 at own 45Jordan Lynch pass incomplete.
5:302nd & 10 at own 45Akeem Daniels rush for 6 yards to the KntSt 49.
4:563rd & 4 at opp 49Jordan Lynch rush for 9 yards to the KntSt 40 for a 1ST down.
4:341st & 10 at opp 40Jordan Lynch pass complete to Martel Moore for 9 yards to the KntSt 31.
4:102nd & 1 at opp 31Jordan Lynch pass complete to Da’Ron Brown for 12 yards to the KntSt 19 for a 1ST down.
3:551st & 10 at opp 19NORTHERNIL penalty 5 yard False Start on Ryan Brown accepted.
3:191st & 15 at opp 24Jordan Lynch rush for 7 yards to the KntSt 17.
3:042nd & 8 at opp 17Akeem Daniels rush for 5 yards to the KntSt 12.
2:433rd & 3 at opp 12Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Ken Bishop.
2:384th & 3 at opp 12Mathew Sims 29 yard field goal GOOD.Northern Illinois 27, Kent State 13
2:38Tyler Wedel kickoff for 47 yards returned by Eric Adeyemi for 45 yards to the NoIll 37.
Kent State Turnover on downs, 9 plays
2:021st & 10 at opp 37Trayion Durham rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 33.
1:512nd & 6 at opp 33Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
1:433rd & 6 at opp 33Spencer Keith pass complete to Dri Archer for 7 yards to the NoIll 26 for a 1ST down.
1:061st & 10 at opp 26Trayion Durham rush for 8 yards to the NoIll 18.
0:492nd & 2 at opp 18Trayion Durham rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 14 for a 1ST down.
0:201st & 10 at opp 14Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Kyle Payton.
0:092nd & 10 at opp 14Dri Archer rush for 2 yards to the NoIll 12.
Q4 14:403rd & 8 at opp 12Dri Archer rush for 1 yard to the NoIll 11.
Q4 14:154th & 7 at opp 11Spencer Keith pass complete to Dri Archer for 5 yards to the NoIll 6.
4th quarter6 drives, then Tied at 34
Northern Illinois Punt, 10 plays
13:581st & 10 at own 6Akeem Daniels rush for a loss of 3 yards to the NoIll 3.
13:172nd & 13 at own 3Jordan Lynch rush for 5 yards to the NoIll 8.
12:453rd & 8 at own 8Jordan Lynch rush for 14 yards to the NoIll 22 for a 1ST down.
12:031st & 10 at own 22Akeem Daniels rush for 3 yards to the NoIll 25.
11:372nd & 7 at own 25Jordan Lynch rush for 9 yards to the NoIll 34 for a 1ST down.
10:591st & 10 at own 34Akeem Daniels rush for 7 yards to the NoIll 41.
10:272nd & 3 at own 41Akeem Daniels rush for 23 yards to the KntSt 36 for a 1ST down.
9:451st & 10 at opp 36Jordan Lynch rush for 2 yards to the KntSt 34.
9:162nd & 8 at opp 34Jordan Lynch rush for 1 yard to the KntSt 33.
8:143rd & 7 at opp 33Jordan Lynch sacked by Dana Brown Jr. for a loss of 3 yards to the KntSt 36.
7:464th & 10 at opp 36Ryan Neir punt for 32 yards, downed at the KntSt 4.
Kent State Touchdown run, 8 plays
7:301st & 10 at own 4Dri Archer rush for 5 yards to the KntSt 9.
6:592nd & 5 at own 9Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
6:513rd & 5 at own 9Spencer Keith pass complete to Chris Humphrey for 9 yards to the KntSt 18 for a 1ST down.
6:221st & 10 at own 18Spencer Keith pass complete to Dri Archer for 60 yards to the NoIll 22 for a 1ST down.
5:581st & 10 at opp 22NORTHERNIL penalty 5 yard Offside on Sean Progar accepted.
5:541st & 5 at opp 17Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Dri Archer.
5:482nd & 5 at opp 17Spencer Keith rush for 7 yards to the NoIll 10 for a 1ST down.
5:191st & goal at opp 10Spencer Keith rush for 5 yards to the NoIll 5.
4:532nd & goal at opp 5Spencer Keith rush for 5 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 27, Kent State 19
4:53Freddy Cortez extra point GOOD.Northern Illinois 27, Kent State 20
4:53Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards returned by Angelo Sebastiano for 29 yards to the NoIll 29.
Northern Illinois Fumble return TD, 1 play (Kent State scores)
4:381st & 10 at own 29Jordan Lynch rush, fumbled, recovered by KntSt Zack Hitchens at the NoIll 22, Zack Hitchens for 22 yards, to the NoIll 0 for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 27, Kent State 26
4:38Freddy Cortez extra point GOOD.Tied at 27
4:38Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Northern Illinois Touchdown run, 4 plays
4:171st & 10 at own 25Akeem Daniels rush for 9 yards to the NoIll 34.
4:032nd & 1 at own 34Jordan Lynch pass complete to Akeem Daniels for 43 yards to the KntSt 23 for a 1ST down.
3:391st & 10 at opp 23Akeem Daniels rush for 14 yards to the KntSt 9 for a 1ST down.
3:121st & goal at opp 9Jordan Lynch rush for 9 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 33, Kent State 27
3:12Mathew Sims extra point GOOD.Northern Illinois 34, Kent State 27
3:12Tyler Wedel kickoff for 35 yards returned by Josh Boyle for 12 yards to the KntSt 42.
Kent State Touchdown pass, 11 plays
3:001st & 10 at own 42Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
2:562nd & 10 at own 42Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Dri Archer.
2:473rd & 10 at own 42Spencer Keith pass complete to Matthew Hurdle for 11 yards to the NoIll 47 for a 1ST down.
2:311st & 10 at opp 47Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
2:162nd & 10 at opp 47Trayion Durham rush for 7 yards to the NoIll 40.
1:593rd & 3 at opp 40Spencer Keith pass complete to Chris Humphrey for 7 yards to the NoIll 33 for a 1ST down.
1:521st & 10 at opp 33Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
1:452nd & 10 at opp 33Spencer Keith pass complete to Josh Boyle for 11 yards to the NoIll 22 for a 1ST down.
1:131st & 10 at opp 22Spencer Keith rush for 3 yards to the NoIll 19.
0:552nd & 7 at opp 19Spencer Keith pass complete to Matthew Hurdle for no gain to the NoIll 19.
0:523rd & 7 at opp 19Timeout KENT STATE, clock 0:52.
0:523rd & 7 at opp 19Timeout NORTHERN ILLINOIS, clock 0:52.
0:443rd & 7 at opp 19Spencer Keith pass complete to Tim Erjavec for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 34, Kent State 33
0:44Freddy Cortez extra point GOOD.Tied at 34
0:44Freddy Cortez kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Northern Illinois Result not recorded, 2 plays
0:391st & 10 at own 25Akeem Daniels rush for 9 yards to the NoIll 34.
0:252nd & 1 at own 34Jordan Lynch sacked by Jake Dooley for a loss of 6 yards to the NoIll 28.
Overtime2 drives, then Tied at 37
Kent State Field goal, 6 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Trayion Durham rush for 4 yards to the NoIll 21.
2nd & 6 at opp 21Dri Archer rush for a loss of 1 yard to the NoIll 22.
3rd & 7 at opp 22Spencer Keith pass complete to Tim Erjavec for 8 yards to the NoIll 14 for a 1ST down.
1st & 10 at opp 14Trayion Durham rush for 9 yards to the NoIll 5.
2nd & 1 at opp 5Timeout NORTHERN ILLINOIS, clock 15:00.
2nd & 1 at opp 5Trayion Durham rush for no gain to the NoIll 5.
3rd & 1 at opp 5Tim Erjavec rush for a loss of 11 yards, fumbled, recovered by KntSt Spencer Keith at the NoIll 16.
4th & 12 at opp 16Freddy Cortez 33 yard field goal GOOD.Kent State 37, Northern Illinois 34
Northern Illinois 4 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Jordan Lynch rush for 2 yards to the KntSt 23.
2nd & 8 at opp 23Akeem Daniels rush for no gain to the KntSt 23.
3rd & 8 at opp 23Jordan Lynch pass incomplete to Martel Moore.
4th & 8 at opp 23Mathew Sims 40 yard field goal GOOD.Tied at 37
2nd overtime2 drives, then Northern Illinois 44, Kent State 37
Northern Illinois Touchdown run, 2 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Akeem Daniels rush for 23 yards to the KntSt 2 for a 1ST down.
1st & goal at opp 2Jordan Lynch rush for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Northern Illinois 43, Kent State 37
Mathew Sims extra point GOOD.Northern Illinois 44, Kent State 37
Kent State 8 plays
1st & 10 at opp 25Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Tim Erjavec.
2nd & 10 at opp 25Dri Archer rush for 2 yards to the NoIll 23.
3rd & 8 at opp 23NORTHERNIL penalty 12 yard Pass Interference on Rashaan Melvin accepted.
1st & 10 at opp 11Trayion Durham rush for 2 yards to the NoIll 9.
2nd & 8 at opp 9Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Chris Humphrey.
3rd & 8 at opp 9Spencer Keith pass incomplete to Matthew Hurdle.
4th & 8 at opp 9Timeout KENT STATE.
4th & 8 at opp 9Spencer Keith pass intercepted by Demetrius Stone at the NoIll 0, returned for no gain for a touchback.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Northern Illinois–Kent State game

Northern Illinois leads 23–⁠7 in 30 meetings, counting the eight since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Kent State 35, Northern Illinois 31
2023Northern Illinois 37, Kent State 27
2021Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23Mid-American Championship Game
2021Kent State 52, Northern Illinois 47
2017Northern Illinois 24, Kent State 3
2016Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 21

Around this game

Northern Illinois

Kent State

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 14